United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Mali /  Issa Konfourou, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Mali to the United Nations, addresses the Security Council at UN world headquarters in New York Oct. 08, 2020.  (UN Photo /Evan Schneider)

 By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC   TIMES

UNITED  NATIONS –  NEW  YORK  – The  UN Security Council on Thursday returned to its own chamber for an in-person meeting on the situation in west African nation Mali, the first time in almost seven months after a lockdown from the coronavirus.   The Security Council heard a briefing from Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the Special Representative and head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).  It was the first formal meeting in the Council chamber since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place in March, although there have been several recent Council meetings in the ECOSOC chamber.  The  meeting  focused on developments since the August 19 military coup in Mali and efforts to establish a political transition. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its appointed mediator to Mali, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, have been leading negotiations with the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), formed by the soldiers that carried out the coup against President Ibrahim Keïta. The crisis, which reportedly started as a mutiny before evolving into a coup, followed protests since June by the opposition and civil society groups calling for Keïta’s resignation over Mali’s mismanagement, corruption, insecurity and a controversial constitutional court ruling that overturned the results of legislative elections earlier this year in favour of Keïta’s ruling party.  On 28 September, Moctar Ouane, a former foreign minister and diplomat, was named transitional prime minister. A new 25-member government, announced on 5 October, includes the appointment of army colonels to the posts of defence, security, territorial administration and national reconciliation.

The meeting was chaired by Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation and President of the Security Council for the month of October. 

“We have taken note of the decisions made by the interim authorities in this regard, including the Transition Charter, appointment of President and Prime Minister. Formation of a ministerial cabinet is also a step in the right direction. We welcome the discharge from custody of former Prime Minister Boubou Cissé and other high-ranking officials arrested on 18 August. We expect that the terms of the transition period – 18 months – will be strictly upheld, to be followed by general elections.   Prospects for stabilization in Mali fully depend on whether the new authorities and other political forces will scrupulously follow the Algiers Peace Agreement. We hope this will be subject to constructive dialogue with groups-“signatories”. Security and governance reforms should continue, and the interests of all people.”

-Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation

ISSA KONFOUROU Permanent Representative of the Republic of Mali to the United Nation (Mali) promised to faithfully convey the words of the Council to his country’s new transitional leaders.  He pointed out that four signatory groups that originally joined the 2015 agreement are now taking part in the transition, as are representatives from all social strata in Mali.  Just weeks after the coup, a new President, Vice‑President, Prime Minister and political road map are all in place.  On 7 October, all those detained in connection with the coup were all released.  He reassured Mali’s partners that the new authorities are determined to uphold all international commitments, and will tirelessly defend human rights and pursue the 2015 peace agreement.  Welcoming the growing strength of the G5 Sahel force, he called on its partners to honour their funding commitments and further called for the Council to impose a Chapter VII mandate allowing the force to enjoy predicable funding through the United Nations.  Concluding, he thanked ECOWAS for its decisive action and the international community for its support, adding that “the people of Mali will never forget it”.

UN Security Council meeting on The situation in Mali.  Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Mali (S/2020/952). SRSG Mali  Oct.  08, 2020.  Photo/Eskinder Debebe

MAHAMAT SALEH ANNADIF, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), briefed the Council via videoconference. He noted that the people of Mali and its neighbours have all welcomed, with relief, the lifting of the ECOWAS sanctions imposed following the coup.  Annadif said peace is close at hand, but the ball remains in the court of the Malian people, the Malians. Annadif said he hoped for a rapid establishment of the National Transitional Council, which will be the country’s legislative body.  He added that the organization of credible elections that can lead to a return to constitutional order will be based upon political, institutional, electoral and administrative reforms, as set out in the Transition Charter.  From this point of view, he said, the transition constitutes an opportunity for Malians to get out of an infernal cycle punctuated by a succession of periodic coups. He reiterated the UN’s commitment to work with Malians and emphasized the importance of seizing this opportunity to end the crisis in the country and to support this important phase in coordination with the international community, in particular the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Mahamat Saleh Annadif (on screen), Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), briefs the Security Council meeting on the situation in Mali. ( Photo/Eskinder Debebe)

Vassily Nebenzia (centre), Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation and President of the Security Council for the month of October, speaks with Jerry Matthews Matjila (right), Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations, ahead of the Security Council meeting on the situation in Mali.  Oct. 8, 2020.  ( Photo/Eskinder Debebe)

Russia Ambassador Warns Terrorists Must Not Be Given Opportunity To Take Advantage of Mali Chaos

Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation and President of the Security Council for the month of October, chairs the Security Council meeting on the situation in Mali.   Oct.  08, 2020    (Photo/Eskinder Debebe)

“Terrorists, who, judging by their recent attacks, feel increasingly comfortable, must not be given an opportunity to benefit from the current predicaments. Militants’ self-made explosive devices hit civilians more and more often, as was the case in September, when a bus and an ambulance were impacted. Especially alarming is the situation in Mopti, which is arena for recurrent attacks on military patrols and convoys. Violent inter-ethnic and inter-communal clashes continue in the center of the country. In general, Mali has suffered an increase in assaults and abductions, upsurge of delinquency, racketeering and robberies, growth in the number of human rights violations.”

-Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation

Nearly 20  MALIAN Soldiers Killed Since Military Coup

At least Three Malian soldiers were killed September 23  in an ambush in the central region of the west African nation,  Mali’s military reported.   The attack took place in the town of Boulkessy in which four other soldiers were injured. The injured were evacuated with the support of the UN MINUSMA.  The Ministry of Defense  said it “strongly” condemned the attack launched by armed terrorist groups, and praised “the bravery and determination of valiant soldiers who fought to repel the enemy and maintain their position.”   On September 9,  Four Malian soldiers were killed in an attack on a military unit in the central part of  Mali near Alatona, close to the Mauritania border.  The attack was carried out by suspected extremists, according to a statement by the Mali’s military.

Third Attack  on Soldiers in MALI After Coup 

Les Forces Armées Maliennes (FAMa) sont responsables de la défense de l’intégrité territoriale et la souveraineté du Mali. 

At least 10 Malian soldiers were killed on September 4  in an attack by Islamic extremists in an ambush in a central region near the Mauritanian border.   The soldiers were killed, including a senior officer, in the attack in Guire and four vehicles were destroyed by fire.